P&P By-the-Sea, Cruz Bay, St. John

Concierge.com's insider take:

Authentic Caribbean cooking doesn't get more down-home than this word-of-mouth spot just outside Cruz Bay, where St. Lucia native Patricia Moorehead whips up West Indian classics in her backyard. Her kitchen? A converted moving van. Her dining room? A gazebo with four tables overlooking Turner Bay. Her menu? Well, that's up to you. Call her at least a day in advance to discuss what you'd like to eat: perhaps shrimp fritters, johnnycakes, and a seafood soup for starters; chicken roti with homemade mango chutney, spicy Creole shrimp stew, savory curried goat, or grilled lobster stuffed with conch for a main dish; and cinnamon cake with roasted bananas for dessert. Friends and neighbors often pop by for beers or a game of dominoes, adding to the cookout atmosphere. The five-course prix fixe meals generally start at $25 per person (seafood entrées like shrimp, conch, or lobster are pricier). Moorehead also serves a set lunch Tuesday through Friday; the menu changes daily, and no reservation is required. Libations are extra, but the funky, friendly vibe is free.

Open Tuesdays through Fridays 1:30 to 3 pm and 6 to 10 pm, Saturdays 6 to 10 pm; dinner is by appointment only.